Butt welding is a technique used to join together parts that are almost parallel i.e. they don’t overlap. It’s a reliable and economical way of connecting pipe pieces together without having to use additional components.

A butt-welding joint is usually made by slowly heating up the two weld ends before joining them together under a specific pressure. The material is then ground down to a smooth finish and either sent to the processing machine, or sold as a finished product.

Butt-Weld pipe fittings are the recognised standard for leak-proof pipe fabrication. They are commonly found in medium and high pressure systems, and in applications where pipe joints are not changed and assembled, such as underground piping systems and long-distance pipelines. They are also the preferred choice for pipelines transporting hazardous or corrosive fluids, such as oil, gas, steam and chemicals.

Butt-weld fittings are designed and manufactured to demanding standards, and have to have a bursting strength equal or greater than that of a seamless pipe of the same material specification, wall thickness and nominal diameter.

Advantages of Butt-Weld Fittings

The main benefit of using butt-weld fittings is that they don’t leak. And, because the butt weld is welded directly to the pipe instead of being bolted on, it is much stronger than a typical fitting, but allows for better flow with less friction resistance.

Other advantages include:

• Reduced turbulence and pressure losses, thanks to a smooth inner surface and gradual directional changes.
• Minimised corrosion and erosion.
• Better layout designs as they are more compact, taking up minimal space.
• Designed to be welded on-site.
• Allow for changes in pipe diameter, or branching at ending.
• Require up to 75% less material than other connections, meaning lower weight and cost.

Steelmor stocks a wide range of welded and seamless butt-weld fittings in grades 304/L ,316/L and 321/H, and sizes ranging from ½” to 36”. Bigger sizes can be manufactured upon request. Contact us today to see how we can meet your needs.

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